Important Collectors’ Wristwatches, P...

Geneva, Oct 04, 2009

LOT 84

Minute Repeating Grande & Petite Sonnerie Clockwatch Invar (Achille Hirsch), La Chaux-de-Fonds, case No. 77739. Made circa 1905. Very fine and very rare, minute-repeating, grande and petite sonnerie striking, two-train, 18K yellow gold, hunting cased keyless clockwatch.

CHF 7,000 - 9,000

USD 6,600 - 8,500 / EUR 4,600 - 6,000

Sold: CHF 13,680

C. Four-body, ?bassine?, solid, polished, the front cover engraved with a foliate monogram. Hinged gold cuvette engraved with the technical details, glazed gold-rimmed cover to view the movement. D. Three-piece white enamel with bold Arabic numerals, outer minute divisions, subsidiary seconds dial. Blued steel spade hands. M. Cal. 20???, frosted gilt, 31 jewels, two-train with tandem winding, straight-line lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensation balance, blued steel Breguet balance spring, index regulator, striking and repeating on gongs, the repeating activated by a push-button in the band, grande sonnerie/petite sonnerie/silence lever on the edge of the bezel. Dial and movement signed, case numbered. Diam. 55 mm.


LOADING IMAGES
Click to full view
Image
Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 2

Very good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-23-01

Good

Later

HANDS Original

Notes

Invar was one of the trade names used by the firm of Achille Hirsch of La-Chaux-de-Fonds. It was reserved for the best quality watches made by Hirsch. Grande Sonnerie Striking: both the hours and the quarters are struck at each quarter. Petite Sonnerie Striking: "ting-tang" quarters are struck at the quarter hours, but in which the hour is only struck at the hour.